I’ve been reading the testimonials to William Safire, the New York Times op-ed columnist and “On Language” writer who died last Sunday.

Two of the better ones are by Maureen Dowd and Howell Raines, who both worked with Safire at The Times for many years.

I never worked with Safire, but I met him once. It was a brief but memorable – at least to me — encounter.

I was in New York City in the summer of 2004. One evening as I was walking along a sidewalk, I saw Safire coming my way. I recognized him from his many television appearances.

On an impulse, I stopped as he approached and said: “Mr. Safire, I read your column and admire your work.”

He smiled and thanked me. He asked where I was from and what I did for a living.

I told him I was from Seattle and used to write columns and editorials for The Seattle Times. Now I run the Washington News Council, which encourages high standards of accuracy and ethics in the news media, I told him.

He seemed very interested, and asked me several questions about my work and our organization. He recalled that he had supported the National News Council when it existed in the 1970s and 1980s.

We chatted for at least 10 or 15 minutes. He was friendly, engaging and gracious.

As we were talking, another man approached us and said, “Hi, Bill.”

I recognized him, too: It was Joe Klein, columnist for Time magazine and author of “Primary Colors” and other works.

The two of them began chatting. On another impulse, I said, “Could I take your pictures?” I pulled out my camera.

They posed for a photograph. Then Safire said: “Joe, why don’t you take one of me and John.”

Klein obligingly took my camera and clicked a shot of me standing next to Safire.

I thanked them both and said it was nice meeting them. We all shook hands and went our separate ways.

I felt a little silly, like a shameless celebrity-monger. At least I didn’t ask for their autographs, I thought.

Some people treasure their photos posing with politicians, like presidents and senators. Not me.

But now that he’s gone, I’m glad to have this picture. That’s me with William Safire. Taken by Joe Klein. On a sidewalk in New York.